Hello lovely readers! Happy Sunday! I'll be honest, this isn't one of my longest chapters, and it may not even be one of my best chapters. I was afraid I would not get this out in time, but managed to squeeze in some writing time Saturday. I do hope you enjoy it though because I did have fun writing this one! :)
Enjoy!
Chapter 50 –
Juice was on the floor with his girls while Kayleigh prepped dinner. Gracie was playing on her rocking horse while Anna Kate stared up at her black and white mobile as she laid on her back on the playmat.
Kayleigh hadn't gone back to the bakery after the first day with Juice, but they had started to take Gracie back to daycare on the days she would normally go. Kayleigh wanted Gracie to keep her routine, even though they had a new baby. One the days she was home all day, Juice stayed home too and spent time with his girls, taking those days off from work.
He knew Kayleigh was itching to go back to work full time at the bakery, but this time she wasn't doing it alone, and she deserved to spend time with Anna Kate in her first month. Bobby had the shop under control.
Kayleigh and Juice had spent the morning at the park with Tara, Jax, and their boys. Gracie loved playing with Thomas, and Abel even played with them in the sandbox. After the park, they had come home for lunch and naps. Juice and Kayleigh had spent the afternoon playing with Gracie until it was time to start dinner.
A knock sounded on the door and Juice looked up. "Come on in, it's open."
The door opened to reveal Tig and Venus. Gracie squealed when she caught sight of Tig and slid unsteadily off her rocking horse. She made her way quickly to him and gave him a big smile. "Up!"
Tig grinned back at her and lifted her into his arms. "Hello, beautiful girl."
Venus looked at Tig and Gracie for a second, a fond smile on her face, before she caught sight of Kayleigh in the kitchen. "Hello, sweetheart, how are you?"
"Hi, Venus! I'm good. Just finished making meatloaf. Now it and the potatoes just need to cook."
Venus looked at the stove and then back at Kayleigh. "No mashed potatoes?"
"No. Juice and I like roasted herb potatoes with our meatloaf. Weird… I know. We tried it one night and it's stuck."
Venus shrugged. "It sounds good. We won't impose on dinner, but I told Tigger I just had to come by and see your sweet girls. Kayleigh, they are both just so pretty, and little Gracie is so smart."
"Like her father," Kayleigh said, walking with Venus into the living room.
"You want her?" Juice asked Venus, holding Anna Kate in his arms.
"Of course. You better give me that adorable bundle of sweetness." She reached for Anna Kate and took her from Juice. Venus situated her in her arms and gave the baby a huge smile. "These girls are going to inherit their southern charm from their mama and Aunt Venus. Yes you will. You'll blow these Charming boys away."
Juice groaned. "I don't want to think about when they're older."
Tig laughed softly. "Nothing you can do, brother, and boy do they grow up fast. Pretty like their mama, and their aunt." He tickled Gracie, making her giggle.
"I don't want to think about them growing up either. Let them be little."
Kayleigh smiled softly at Juice and then looked at Tig. "I'm with Juice, let them be little. I know I was trouble growing up, I'm sure we'll get our fair share of karma."
Juice sat down beside Kayleigh on the couch, and she snuggled into his side. Gracie was down for the night and Anna Kate had fallen asleep in her swing a few minutes ago. He took her hand and intertwined their fingers. Juice brought her hand to his mouth and kissed her wrist. He ran his thumb across her tattoo and Kayleigh kissed his cheek.
"I want to get Anna Kate's done soon."
Juice turned his head to look at her. "Really?"
She kissed his lips quickly and then smiled. "Yes."
Kayleigh giggled when Juice's eyebrows furrowed. "What thought crossed your mind to make you worry?"
"The ink, it's not toxic, but will it… you know, you feed Anna Kate… will it hurt her?"
Kayleigh tucked her head into the curve of his shoulder, wrapping her arms tighter around his middle, and tried to contain her laughter. Juice's anxiety sometimes made him worry about the strangest things, Kayleigh thought. She also knew his worry meant he cared, and that was something she loved about him. "If the tattoo got infected maybe, but Happy's a good artist, and he's almost as OCD about cleanliness as you."
"There is nothing wrong with being clean."
"Not at all." Kayleigh kissed him again, and Juice moved his hands quickly to hold her tighter against him, keeping his mouth on hers.
Juice deepened the kiss and Kayleigh moaned. He slid a hand down her back to the curve of her ass, making her giggle. Juice trailed his lips across her jaw and down her neck before going back up and to her ear.
"You're trying to kill me, Kayleigh," he groaned.
She snickered again and kissed his cheek. "You started it."
"Did not, you kissed me first."
"Well if you weren't so damn tempting then I wouldn't have kissed you, so it's still you that started it."
Juice chuckled and shook his head. "Fine. You win wife, I started it. Want me to call Happy?"
"Do the tattoo now?"
"If you want."
Kayleigh nodded, an excited smile on her lips. "Call Happy." She stood up, heading for the kitchen, and started to clean the table where Happy would do the tattoo if he came.
Juice walked in a moment later, snapping his phone closed and sliding it in his pocket. "He's on his way." He slid his hands onto her hips and pulled her flush to his body. She let her head thump against his shoulder and turned slightly to kiss his neck.
"Your birthday's coming up," Juice stated. "What do you want?"
"I have everything I want."
Juice chuckled and kissed her head. "But what do you want for your birthday?"
Kayleigh hummed and tossed the dishtowel in her hand onto the counter. She twisted in his embrace, draping her arms over his shoulders. "Let's get professional family portraits done. Have nice pictures to hang in the house. We'll bring Graciela along, too."
"That's what you want for your present?"
Kayleigh nodded giving him a big smile, so Juice shrugged. "Okay. Find a studio and schedule an appointment or session, whatever they call it, and we'll go. Buy the girls something cute to wear, too."
"Of course," Kayleigh remarked with a smirk. "So, you'll do it?"
"Long as I don't have to dress up, yeah."
Kayleigh laughed and leaned in to kiss him slowly. When she pulled back she said. "No, I love you just like this, jeans and a tight black t-shirt. White ones are nice, too."
Juice's phone buzzed and he pulled it out. "Hap's outside, didn't want to knock and wake up the kids." He kissed her and then jogged to the door to open it. "S'up man."
Happy nodded his head and stepped into the house. "Hey, brother."
Happy followed Juice to the kitchen, cutting his eyes over to look at the sleeping baby near the couch. Happy sat at the table and pulled out a pen and stencil paper from the bag he brought with him. "You got the ink print of her foot?"
"Yeah. Let me grab it," Kayleigh said, darting off to the nursery.
Kayleigh handed him the paper when she returned and he placed it under the translucent paper to trace the infant's footprint. After the footprint was traced, Happy sketched the swirling script of Anna Kate's name and birthdate around the small footprint.
"Ready?" Happy asked Kayleigh.
She nodded, sat in the chair across from him, and laid her arm on the table. Happy swiped her skin with an alcohol soaked piece of cotton, cleaning the area. He studied her wrist and forearm carefully before placing the sketch down and rubbing the design against her skin. He peeled the paper back and then nodded. He glanced up at Kayleigh after setting up the machine and turned it on. "Ready?" he asked again over the buzz of the machine.
"Yeah." Kayleigh said. "Getting ink hurts way less than childbirth."
Juice chuckled, but Happy just shook his head as he lowered the needle of his custom tattoo machine to Kayleigh's skin. She sucked in a deep breath at the first prick of the needle, but remained quiet.
A soft knock sounded halfway through Happy's tattooing, so Juice ran to get the door. "Hey sis," he greeted after cracking open the door. He opened it fully and she stepped inside.
"Hey, hope it's not too late."
"Naw, Hap's here doing Kayleigh's newest ink."
"Anna Kate's footprint?"
"Yeah. Come on, want a beer?"
"No. I've got to drive home bro, but thanks."
"You could always crash here," Juice countered as the made it into the kitchen. He sat in the chair and picked up his own half empty bottle.
Graciela shook her head at him and then smiled at Kayleigh. "Hey, sis. Hi. Happy."
Happy nodded, not taking his eyes off his work, but Kayleigh grinned up at her. "Hi, Graciela. What are you up to?"
"Nothing. The science team had dinner together to get to know each other, some sort of team bonding… there's only four of us, but it was fun. John Mayfield is a bit of a dick, but Sally Parchman is cool. She's the one who organized the get-together. I thought I'd swing by here before I came home."
"Excited for school to start at the end of the month?" Kayleigh asked.
"Sort of, but I'm excited to set up my classroom. Sally said the building usually opens two weeks before school." Graciela sat in the chair between Juice and Happy and watched the artist at work.
Happy was good at what he did. His focus was entirely on the art he was creating. Kayleigh was a good client too, quiet and still. "So how many tats does this make?"
"Six."
"Who has more ink?"
"Juice if you count number of tattoos. He has eight, but per skin coverage I win with the back piece for sure."
"I win if we're going by skin coverage or number of tats," Happy added.
The four around the table laughed and then Happy asked. "You got any ink?"
"Nope. Ma would have killed me before, and now teachers can't really have anything that shows. It's written in the handbook. If it's visible it can't be more than one inch in size and nothing vulgar."
"So, no arm sleeves or leg sleeves for you," Juice said.
"I know, and I'd like one on my ankle too."
"Of what?" Happy asked.
Graciela shrugged. "Not sure. It's why I've never gotten one. I can't decide what to get. I'd like to get something meaningful and unique."
"Not a random, pretty butterfly kind of girl?" Kayleigh asked on a laugh.
"No. Were your head tats a random thing bro, or do they have meaning?"
Happy chuckled; it was low and deep and Graciela turned her head to stare at him. Her blank stare turned into a grin and she turned to give a knowing look to her brother. "There's a story behind that laugh."
"I got them in done in Tacoma."
"Did you do them, Hap?" Kayleigh asked, looking up from the tattoo and at him. The footprint was done and now he was finishing her name.
Happy didn't look up from his work as he traced the path of the t. "Yeah. Tacoma is the last stop for prospects to make if they have to go visit charters."
"So does every prospect has to visit the other places?" Graciela asked.
Happy stopped tattooing for just a moment, quickly cutting his eyes to Graciela and then back to his job. The little machine started buzzing again and Happy spoke. "Nope. It's up to the President of the club if they do or not and if they go to every clubhouse ."
"I just visited the west coast charters, headed south first and then road back up through Arizona and Nevada, then up to Tacoma. It was a hell of a road trip, even if I had to do all that bullshit work at each charter's clubhouse. The parties were fun."
Kayleigh rolled her eyes at her husband. "I bet."
Juice smirked and winked at Kayleigh. "Love you, baby. Anyway, the whole trip I had all my hair. Everyone, even Chibs and Clay said I had a baby face, I looked to innocent and young. They said I shouldn't be drinking beer that I needed to drink juice. The nickname Juicey-boy got started by Chibs, by the time I made it to Tacoma I was introduced as Juice, and I was tired of being told I didn't look intimidating."
Happy chuckled again. "Gets this bright idea to shave his hair off and asks me to tattoo tribal tats to his scalp. Screamed like a girl the whole time."
Kayleigh and Graciela laughed, but Juice frowned. "I did not. That shit hurt like fucking hell, but I only yelled out once. It felt like you hit the bone."
"Idiot. Walked out into the party with a mohawk and head tats. Took a lot of shit for it, but it helped."
"Too late for a different nickname though; Juice stuck."
"Aw, and here this whole time I thought it was drug related," Graciela said as she chuckled.
"I sold drugs in New York, but here we don't have drugs. SAMCRO keeps that shit out of Charming, but towns around us do have all kinds of drugs."
"Nice to know the kids I teach won't be doing drugs, hopefully."
Happy wiped Kayleigh's wrist with the towel and set the machine down. Happy rubbed a cream over the area of the fresh tattoo and then bandaged Kayleigh's wrist.
"Thanks, Happy. What do I owe you?"
"Dinner."
"Just have to tell me what you want and when."
Happy nodded as he cleaned up the ink containers and his machine. Graciela stood from her chair and stepped over to hug her brother. "See you later, bro. I'm going to head home."
"Juice has to work tomorrow. Come hang out with me," Kayleigh said. Her and Graciela walked into the living room and Kayleigh whispered, "You still have to tell me about Fun Town with Happy."
Graciela blushed slightly. "I'll come over tomorrow. The materials from the school district that I've been waiting on have been released, so I can start to plan lessons. I'll bring my stuff and work here and chill with you and my nieces tomorrow."
"Perfect. Bye, drive safe."
Graciela hugged Kayleigh and then headed out the door. Anna Kate started to fuss in her swing, so Kayleigh went to pick her up as Juice walked Happy to the door. "Later man, let me know when you want dinner, or drop by if you don't care what's cookin'."
"Thanks again, Happy," Kayleigh called as he opened the door to leave.
He gave her a nod and then clapped Juice's shoulder quickly before leaving. Graciela hadn't left yet, her car was running but still parked in the driveway. Happy smirked to himself as he swung a leg over his bike and brought it to life. Graciela pulled out and Happy followed her as she drove home.
He parked in front of her condo and sat cut his engine. "Want a beer?" Graciela asked as she walked the few steps down the driveway to him.
"No thanks. Want a tattoo?" Happy asked in return, giving her one of those barely there smiles.
"Still don't know what I want," she countered.
"I'll think about it. Goodnight, Graciela."
"Night, Happy."
He watched her walked up to her door and go inside before he revved the bike and drove to his own place.
Juice slid into bed next to Kayleigh and pulled her to his side. "Does my sister have a thing going on with Happy?"
"No," Kayleigh scoffed. "She wouldn't do that behind your back. Why?"
"She was still here when Happy left, the pulled out together."
"Happy makes sure she gets home. Your brother isn't doing anything with her."
"Does she want him to? I mean, does she want him, to be with him?"
Kayleigh was silent for a moment and then answered honestly. "Graciela likes Happy, and I think Happy likes her too. I can't say if they'll get together or not. Would you be okay with it if they did?"
It was Juice's turn to be silent as he thought about how he felt about Happy being with his sister, being her Old Man… Graciela being his Old Lady. "I think… Hap's my brother. He's the Tacoma Killer, but he's never mistreated a girl, a woman. Hap's a good guy. I think I'd be okay with it, you know, as long as it was what Graciela wanted. If she knew everything and still wanted this kind of life."
"It's a little different now than before, not to say it can't get dangerous quickly with just a few words or actions, but I think Graciela would still want to know what's happening in his world. She wouldn't want to be kept in the dark."
"You sure didn't," Juice commented with a fond smile.
Kayleigh pinched his side playfully. "It's the only way it works. All in or the wondering, the not knowing, drives you crazy. Would you really be okay with Graciela and Happy being together?"
"She could do worse, it's not Ratboy. Happy would protect her. I definitely wouldn't have to worry about her safety. I'd be okay with Hap and Graciela together."
"You might want to mention that to Happy or your sister. I think both are waiting for your approval, and neither are brave enough to ask. And if it's not your approval they're waiting on, then at least you might push one of them in the direction to make a move."
"Sooo… you and Happy? Funtown? Tell me everything," Kayleigh said as she sat on the couch beside Graciela. Gracie was at daycare and Anna Kate had been rocked to sleep by her aunt and was now peacefully swaying in her swing.
Graciela had the faintest hint of a blush when she answered. "He's… we had a good time. Happy isn't what I expected, and I know there is so much more to him than I know. We haven't… we don't talk very much."
Kayleigh raised a brow and gave her a smirk to which Graciela rolled her eyes. "We haven't done anything else either, but Funtown was so much fun. It was nice to just get to be near him and spend some time with him, have fun with him. He won me two stuffed animals."
"Awe, it's hard to picture Happy as a romantic, but there's a sweet side under that hard exterior I'm sure."
"He called me little girl."
Kayleigh turned her head and stared at Graciela. "Like a nickname, a term of endearment, or derogatorily?"
"It was sweet. We were joking; I was teasing him because I won the basketball game. He called me little girl. I liked it… I hope it didn't show too much exactly how much I liked him giving me a nickname."
Kayleigh grinned. "I bet it will stick. I've never heard Happy give a girl a nickname before. You must be pretty special to him already."
"We're just friends right now, Sissy. I want more, but I'm not going to push him for it. If it happens it happens, if not… well, there are plenty of other men in Charming."
None like Happy, Kayleigh thought. "True. Did Happy follow you home last night after my tat was done?"
"Yeah. He never stays, but he makes sure I'm home which is sweet."
"You ever invited him to stay?"
"I've asked him last night if he wanted a beer, but not to stay, no. Little bold for me right off the bat, Sissy."
Kayleigh shrugged as she shifted to tuck her legs under her. "I think you and Happy are cute together, but you have to do what feels right to you."
"He's definitely something to look at, and he has this… just standing near him you feel his strength… his dominance. It's kind of intimidating sometimes, but he… I'm not scared of Happy."
"You shouldn't be. Hap won't hurt you."
"I know." Graciela turned to look at Kayleigh. "I like that he follows me home. I like that little half smile he gives me. I like how he makes me feel. I like him way too much, Sissy."
"Naw, you got good taste," Kayleigh said with a smirk.
Juice pressed a kiss to Kayleigh's temple and then slid out of bed. Juice checked on Gracie, who was still sleeping, and Juno slipped out the door to follow him to the kitchen. While Kayleigh fed Anna Kate, Juice was going to make her breakfast in bed. She deserved it every day for all she did for her family, but today was special. Today was Kayleigh's thirty-first birthday.
After letting Juno out into the backyard, Juice started making the batter for blueberry pancakes, one of Kayleigh's favorites. Along with the pancakes, Juice pulled bacon from the fridge and cooked it in the cast iron skillet. It wasn't until breakfast was done that Juice could hear Gracie's demands to be let out of her crib.
He met Kayleigh partway down the hallway. Juice stopped her with his hands on her shoulders. "Nope, you turn around and take your ass back to bed."
"But, Juice," she started until he cut her off with a shake of his head.
"But Juice nothing. Take your ass back to bed. I've got Gracie, and I'll be joining you in a moment."
"How about I take my girl back to bed with me?" she countered.
Juice thought about it silently until Gracie let out a loud yell. "Compromise, take your ass back to bed. I'll bring our girl to you."
Kayleigh smiled and leaned up to kiss his cheek. "I can smell whatever it is you're cooking Juicey, but I won't spoil your fun. Bring me my baby." She turned around and headed back for the bedroom.
Juice grinned as he watched her turn around to go. He caught her after one step and spun her back around to face him, pulling her close to his chest. "Happy birthday, Kayleigh Lynn."
She gave him a beautiful smile and a quick kiss. "Thanks, Juan Carlos."
Before she could walk off again, Juice kissed her hard, parting her lips and sliding his tongue in her mouth to dance with hers. Kayleigh moaned, leaning into him and Juice's chest shook with silent laughter. Kayleigh broke the kiss, leaning back slightly to look at him. "It's not my fault you started something we can't finish."
"Halfway there." Gracie let out another yell and Juice smirked. "Maybe we'll try fooling around tonight." He gave her a wink and then went into Gracie's room.
Kayleigh waited in the hallway until he reappeared with their oldest. She took Gracie from him and they headed down the hallway, leaving Juice to finish breakfast.
Juice walked back to the kitchen and made a plate for Kayleigh and then one for himself. Gracie would normally get her own, but Juice could feed her from his plate. He poured two cups of coffee and made a sippy cup of milk for Gracie. Juice put everything on a tray and carried it back to the bedroom.
Kayleigh and Gracie were both asleep, snuggled together on the bed. Kayleigh was laying on her side, her arm over Gracie, who was laying on her back snuggled against her mother. Juice crossed the room quietly and set the tray on the bedside table. He climbed into the bed, Gracie slept through the movement, but Kayleigh opened her eyes.
"Hi," she whispered.
"Anna asleep too?"
Nodding her head, Kayleigh looked down at Gracie. "She fell asleep on me, but it was nice to lay here for a few extra minutes in peace. I'm hungry though, whatever is behind you smells yummy." Kayleigh sat up and Gracie stirred.
"Wake up, Gracie Lynn," Juice said. "Daddy's got breakfast in bed for momma's birthday." He grabbed the tray from the nightstand and sat in between Kayleigh and himself.
Gracie opened her eyes and squirmed around, rubbing her eyes and face with her hands. She crawled into Kayleigh's lap and snuggled against her. "Mama."
"Do you want some pancake? Bacon? Daddy made mama's favorite breakfast for her birthday." Kayleigh's soft voice made Gracie stir in her lap.
She sat up more and Kayleigh chuckled, kissing Gracie's cheek. Kayleigh cut a portion of the pancake into tiny pieces for Gracie, and fed her a few of them before taken a bite herself. She plucked a piece of bacon from her plate and shared that with Gracie next.
Juice laughed, shaking his head, as he ate breakfast in bed with his girls. "I was going to feed her."
"She wanted to snuggle with mama on her birthday, sorry dad. So, what are the plans for the day?"
"I'm taking you somewhere tonight, but the day is yours baby. It's your birthday, what do you want to do?"
"Stay in bed you with and our girls all day."
Juice chuckled, and carefully leaned over to kiss Kayleigh. "Whatever you want, babe."
After making sure the car seat was snapped securely in the base, Juice shut the backdoor to the SUV and climbed into the driver's seat.
"So, tell me again where we're going?"
"You'll see," Juice answered Kayleigh as the garage door opened. He backed out slowly and then headed down the street.
"We're going to Tara's house?" Kayleigh asked with a hint of excitement and a lot of curiosity.
Juice didn't say anything as he turned on the Teller's street and pulled up to their driveway. Two cars were in the driveway already and Kayleigh grinned. "Oh, Lyla and Graciela are here, is this going to be a surprise girls' night?"
Juice stayed silent again, shut off the engine, and opened the door to exit the vehicle. Kayleigh followed suit, taking Gracie out of her car seat and heading toward the front door. Juice followed her with Anna Kate in his arms and opened the door for her.
"Surprise!"
Kayleigh froze in the doorway, a huge smile on her face, as she took in the living room filled with her family.
"Surprise, baby," Juice said from behind her.
Kayleigh turned to kiss his cheek and then headed into the crowd of family members. Bobby was the first to wrap her in a hug, then Chibs.
"Happy birthday, lass. Give me that pretty lassie, you go relax and have fun." Chibs took Gracie from her and Kayleigh found Tara and Lyla near the kitchen.
Kayleigh squeezed her friend in a tight side hug. "Thanks, Tara. This is a nice surprise."
"You're welcome. Lyla and I had fun planning a party for you. You are always doing everything for everyone."
"Yeah, don't tell anyone we spilled the beans, but Bobby was so excited to bake your cake," Lyla whispered.
"I can only imagine. I bet it's delicious."
"No peeking until it's time, sorry Kayleigh."
"Damn." Before she could ask what flavor it was, strong arms wrapped around her in a bear hug.
"Happy birthday!" Tig exclaimed.
"Thanks, Tiggy. I'm surprised you don't have one of my girls."
"Venus is hogging the little one, and Gracie loves Chibs. It's that damn accent."
"That will do it," Lyla said on a laugh.
"Come on, ladies, I've got to have something going for me," Tig whined, making them laugh.
"You do, sweetie," Tara said teasingly. "Those pretty baby blues."
"Aw thanks, ladies."
"Anytime Tig," Tara said with a snort as he started to head toward Venus.
"Hungry? I'll make Jax fire up the grill?" Tara said, looking at Kayleigh.
Once she had confirmation from Kayleigh, Tara went to tell Jax. Graciela appeared at Kayleigh's side and pulled her into the room to look at all the presents and get a drink.
Kayleigh held up her wrist again, fingering each charm on the silver bracelet Juice had given her. "You weren't supposed to buy me a present. The photography session in two days was my gift." she said to him for at least the hundredth time since they'd gotten home.
"Yeah, but you love it. Haven't stopped looking at it or touching the charms since I put it on you."
She chose to ignore him, as he continued to undress for bed, and turned her eyes back to the bracelet. The silver chain had six charms on it: a little motorcycle, a cupcake, the letter a, the letter g, a dog, and an angel.
"What's the angel for?"
"Because you're my angel," Juice said as he crawled into bed and moved to hover over Kayleigh.
She slid down the pillows, aligning their bodies better, and Juice lowered his hips to rest between her legs. He kissed his way down her neck and then back up. "So what are my limitations?"
"No penetration, otherwise, whatever feels good," Kayleigh said around a moan as he lips closed over her earlobe.
Juice looked down at her, his eyes dark and full of emotion. "You sure about this?"
"I'm sure I want you, Juan Carlos."
That was all the reassuring Juice needed from his beautiful wife, the mother of his two children, and he lowered his mouth to hers.
It was late in the afternoon when he showed up. Kayleigh was surprised to see him, since he'd given no warning that he'd be stopping by.
Kayleigh eyed Trevor from across the couch and asked, "What are you doing here, Trevor?"
"Can't a brother stop by to wish his little sister a belated happy birthday?"
Kayleigh snorted. "Why didn't you come by yesterday? I am home almost all day."
Trevor rolled his eyes. "Don't be like this, Kayleigh. You know why I didn't come by yesterday. Juice was home with you, he's at Redwoody today."
"So you'll only come see me if my husband isn't home?" Kayleigh asked with a raised brow.
"You know he and I aren't good."
"Who says we are?" Kayleigh fired back, staring hard at her brother. Before he could snap back at her the rumble of Juice's Harley could be heard pulling into the garage. "You need to leave now."
"Yeah, guess so." Trevor set a white envelope on the coffee table and then headed for the door. "Happy birthday, sis."
Juice came through the garage door at the same time that Trevor closed the front door. "What was that about?" he asked.
"Trevor stopped by to wish me a happy birthday."
"What's in the envelope?" Juice asked, walking over to sit on the couch next to Kayleigh. Gracie excited walked over to him and crawled into his lap. "Hi, Little Miss. I missed you today."
Kayleigh opened the envelope and pulled out three bound stacks of cash and a note, which she read aloud. "Happy birthday, Sis. I wasn't sure what to get you, so here it is. The first two sets of cash are for your daughters. College fund, for their future, or needs right now, it doesn't really matter, but it's for them. The third set is for you to spend on yourself. Love you, Trevor."
Juice thumbed through one of the stacks of twenties and whistled lowly. "That's at least five hundred a bundle."
"It's a lot of money, but it doesn't fix things."
"Are you going to keep it?" Juice asked.
Kayleigh rolled her eyes and snorted. "Of course I am, college is expensive, and so are clothes."
